When it comes to offset printing, spot colors or solid colors are any colors that are generated by an ink that is printed while using a single run compared to process colors that are produced by printing a series of dots with different colors. The offset printing process in full color includes the use of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black; also known as CMYK. When it is needed to match a particular color of something such as a background color or a logo or company color on a printed piece then is when a spot color is utilized.
Spot colors are mainly used and utilized to maintain the color fidelity and/or accuracy of a certain color throughout the entire print run. To do this, the printer will take a specialized PMS number which stands the Pantone Matching System or PMS. This system was developed by Pantone Inc to match specific color spots specifically in North America. This matching system contains approximately 1,000 different and predefined colors that are able to be mixed and combined from an array of base inks that are known as “Pantone Colors”. These base inks are sold by the Pantone company.
Printers will refer to this PMS number of ink during the specification and once it is established then both a client and customer will refer to the specific color by its PMS number. To print, the printer will take the PMS color, refer it to a color chart that will identify the base colors needed to mix the PMS numbered ink, and then further the percentages to be mixed. PMS colors that are mixed to achieve colors on coated papers will print with different hues and densities on various stocks. There are computerized scales that exist and are available for printers with high volumes or requirements to be completely accurate. The colors that are made and achieved through these computerized scales are achieved much faster and with less waste involved. Having computerized scales also offer cheap printing for things such as business cards, flyers, post cards, brochures, catalogs, and some books. It is also possible to mix two or more different spot colors to attempt to create even more colors with various effects.
Emily Ramirez 